Pumpkin Run Pulse

I learned from that experience,” I told them. “I knew that every word I said could mean death. Yet never before had I felt such peace and joy in my heart as while I was giving the Bible message in the presence of mine enemy.’ Corrie ten Boom

Many years ago, Corrie ten Boom shared this story with the congregation of a small church in a tiny African country. Members of its congregation were being systematically executed by their local police, on orders from their new government. The congregation’s crime was Christianity. Corrie’s crime had been hiding Jews from the Nazis and sharing the gospel. The congregation was uplifted and comforted with Corrie’s message. And, like her, Christ gave them the strength to endure to the end and beyond. Corrie learned later that more than half of the remaining congregation she'd ministered to that night, “died a martyr’s death.” She understood the feelings the remaining congregation felt over the loss. Corrie’s father, sister and nephew had also been Christians, martyred at the hands of the Nazis for harboring Jews.Corrie had lived. Her release from Ravensbruck had, in the eyes of some, been a clerical error. Corrie was the only one, of thousands of women in her age group, who'd been set free. A few day days later, all other prisoners of that age group were executed.I have a deep love for Corrie ten Boom’s work for many reasons. It's packed with spiritual nourishment, showing how God delivered love and light to some of the darkest, most evil and pain-riddled places mankind ever helped to produce.

Corrie’s stories are kept near my heart, reminding me of how blessed I am. How blessed many of us are.

​Corrie talks in this book about Christ persuaded her to travel the world, taking His story, woven into her own story, to any and all who would receive it. I was amazed to learn of how many, especially in the United States, weren't interested and shooed her away like an unwanted stray dog. But, she wasn't a stray. She was a supernatural gift, disguised as a little old Dutch woman and holocaust survivor, who arrived at their doorsteps to share heaps of spiritual jewels, healing and other blessings.Their rejection discouraged her for a short but significant time. She wanted to give up and return to Holland, but God compelled her to stay. He assured her He had work for her to do in America. He would introduce her to hungry souls yearning to feel the love and warmth of Sonlight.

​Though she'd been turned away by many, He began opening the doors and hearts of many, MANY more. These were ones who gladly received her into their homes, their churches, their jails, hospitals, and homeless shelters. It was only the beginning.

Corrie would go on to travel the globe, speaking in nearly every country on the planet and ministering to thousands of people a week, in multiple services a day.

She would pray for the sick, and many would be healed.

She would pray for the broken hearted and many would immediately be drenched in the same sort of joy and peace that flowed from Corrie.

She kept at it, fatigued and worn from travel, but she never tired of writing and bringing the good news in person to wherever God directed her.

I could write on and on about the wonders you'll discover in this book, as you travel with Corrie. The places you'll go and the people you'll meet will leave you with vivid memories and gentle reminders to not sweat the small stuff and and to not worry but to instead be prayerful, about the big stuff.

Corrie's message is the same as that of the Apostles--God loves us and He never runs shy on grace and mercy.

I hope you'll get the book, read it and understand why I insist that it's a never-ending blessing from cover to cover that you can draw a fresh revival from for the rest of your days.

​The wrap!

I've read many accounts from survivors of the Holocaust and have taught children from the genocides in the countless African proxy wars.

To both our countries combined shame we ignored the plight of these people for far too long.
After what she went through to then tackle the ignorance she was confronted with beggars belief.
There are people in this world who don't believe any if these horrors happened?
The fight against ignorance continues.
Great article Angelia.

Reply

Angelia

6/1/2017 09:02:25 am

Mike,

I so appreciate your comment!!

Being both a neighbor to the Dutch and having lived and worked for a good while in South Africa, I can appreciate the significant interactions you've had with hunted and probably oft haunted people.

I'm sure your role has often been simultaneously a blessing and a heartbreak.

I'm sincerely grateful for your kind words of Corrie ten Boom’s ministry and message. Although she walked on many years ago, her work has never stopped being effective.

Looking back on the many years I spent in both medical and mortuary fields, I think one of the best suggestions I could have given to the sick, the worried, the depressed and grieving would and probably should have been for them to get familiar with Corrie ten Boom.

This is another nice review of a book, but it's also more than that, in that it's encouragement to continue embracing Christian principles of love, kindness and sharing, no matter what tragedies befall.

Thank you for bringing this book to our attention.

Reply

Angelia

6/2/2017 11:54:03 am

Vicki,

Thank you sooooo much for the beautiful comment!

Like Mike, you're seeing the big picture of the whys and hows Corrie ten Boom's work is a much needed and timeless asset. I has been and still is, applicable to make a positive impact for anyone in any situation.

Each time I learn of a suicide, or someone struggling with the loss of a loved one, or their pending loss, I think of Corrie's work and what incredible powerful medicine it contains that is an effective help for body, spirit and soul. And, like all soul-food, no prescription is needed. :)

Dear Angelia,
First off, I am agog that you lived in South Africa along your life journey ... hint, hint, more on that subject to come, I hope.
The idea of carrying on with the precious gift of survival and becoming even more of a force to be reckoned with is a beautiful lesson shared by Corrie ten Bloom. Your review is equally compelling and I will look forward to reading this book on your recommendation.
Love you and wishing you a peaceful weekend, mar

The odd thing is that I actually taught many more children in the UK from war zones. Somalia, Ethiopia, Chad and the Yemen. All refugees from terrible conflicts.
Traumatized by their experiences it took many years for them to feel even a little safer again.
Corrie ten Bloom's story is a reminder to be vigilant when we see the creeping tide of intolerance emerging again in our so called civilised societies.

Mike's globe trotting adventures have taken him to loads more places than I've been. But, I voted on his YouTube channel for him to produce a series covering his road trip across the USA, that he made several years ago.

I'm sure it'll be a blast!

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